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Winter wildlife near Washingtonday trips within 250 miles

Where can I see winter wildlife near Washington?

We track 7 winter wildlife places within 250 straight-line miles of Washington, in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey and North Carolina. The nearest is Eastern Neck Refuge, about 43 miles away (local timing: Nov 15–Mar 31).

Blackwater Refuge usually starts first (Jan 1–Feb 28) and Bombay Hook ends last (Nov 1–Dec 31).

Updated Sep 29. Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Neck NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR seasons of wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Pick your week

Pick a week: the places usually in their window then light up. Each place's own usual window, or its region's or state's timing where it has none (labeled); not a forecast.

Week of Jan 1

Usually in peak the week of Jan 1

By distance from Washington

Straight-line miles; roads are longer
  1. 43 miEastern Neck RefugeLocal timing: Nov 15–Mar 31
  2. 58 miBlackwater RefugeLocal timing: Jan 1–Feb 28
  3. 87 miBombay HookLocal timing: Nov 1–Dec 31
  4. 113 miChincoteague RefugeLocal timing: Nov 1–Dec 31
  5. 143 miForsythe RefugeLocal timing: Dec 1–Feb 28
  6. 222 miPocosin Lakes RefugeLocal timing: Nov 1–Feb 28
  7. 243 miMattamuskeet RefugeLocal timing: Nov 1–Feb 28

Questions people ask

What's the closest winter wildlife to Washington?

Eastern Neck Refuge, about 43 straight-line miles away. Local timing: Nov 15–Mar 31.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Neck NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where does the wildlife season start first near Washington?

Blackwater Refuge (58 miles): local timing: Jan 1–Feb 28.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR seasons of wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How far are these places from Washington?

From 43 to 243 straight-line miles; roads are longer. 3 are within 100 miles.